25/04/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Fit for the future? Two reports on the state of care at Jersey's

hospital are published after two deaths and weeks of pressure.

Also, Trott stands down. In a shock announcement, Guernsey's current

chief minister says he will not stand for re-election. He says it's

for the good of the island. And as the cost of living rises and

unemployment hits new highs, we jump on the bus and find out what

that means across Jersey. Two reports into standards of care

at Jersey's General Hospital have been made public today. The reports

were commissioned after two unexpected deaths at the hospital,

the most recent that of Joseph Vasse who died during a routine

hernia operation. Professor Alan Aitkenhead warned in his first

report that safety in clinical areas was below UK standards. He

also said doctors should face an annual appraisal. Rachel Royce

reports. Jersey's general hospital has been under scrutiny from

Professor Alan Aitkenhead since the death of Joseph Vasse who died

during a retune -- during a routine operation. He looked at whether

patient safety levels are on a par with the UK. The professor visited

the hospital twice, in May 2011 and again last December. In his first

In his second report, he said Today, the hospital director said

he welcomed the report and said he believed the hospital was as safe

as any in the UK. It is important to put his comments in perspective.

I believe he was referring to the fact that we were not able to

evidence the fact our operations were as safe as UK hospitals

because we were not subject to the same inspection regimes. It did not

mean they were not saved. It was a strange press conference. Two

report criticising the way patient safety is assessed and the way

doctors are checked. Hospital bosses are content everything is on

track and now the reports are published, others will be able to

judge. Guernsey's get debt betray --

deputy has ruled him self- out of the race.

When the public voted for change some were not expecting things to

change so quickly. First, deputy Lyndon Trott said he wanted to

stand for re-election as Chief Minister. Then he surprised many by

withdrawing, saying his nomination had polarised the States and

brought about behaviour that he felt could damage the island's

government. The deputy was unavailable for television

interview today. The man left as only candidate says he will not

withdraw. Until there is a change in the machinery of government, it

is important, but not important enough for a constitutional crisis.

What we have is an opportunity to work together and do so in a

democratic and sensible way. Another person watching events is

the deputy elect, Peter Harwood, who has been nominated for Chief

Minister, even though he does not qualify to serve, because you have

to be a deputy for four years out of the past eight. The move has

been forward to -- put forward to change the rules. I do not think it

is damaging. You are talking about an internal rule procedure changing.

You should have as broader cross- section of choice for members to

choose from. That would happen if the rule was rescinded. The stage

its will debate whether to rescind the rule on the same day as the

election on Tuesday. If approved, a new nomination period will be held.

Between now and then, lot can change.

If you would like to attend the hustings, they are taking place on

Monday from 7pm to 9pm at the grammar school. The public on what,

but only members can question the candidates. There has been more

gloomy news for the economy in Jersey with another new record high

in unemployment. Even those in work are likely to be worse off with an

increase in the cost of living of 4.7%. We took to the buses today to

talk to some of those affected. Meet Della, Pat and Kevin. They are

travelling on the bus with me. Della is a mother of three, Pat is

a pension and cabin has two children. They have felt the impact

of the rising cost of housing and food -- Kevin. His very, very

expensive. I do not know how first- time buyers do it. You paid the

price for living on a beautiful island. A our rent has gone up each

year with what they call the cost of living. Our landlord's has not

done any massive jumps, and we are happy where we are but we play --

pay a lot in rent. Fruit and vegetables, they should be cheaper.

Three weeks ago, I bought some items that were three items for two.

It was two for �3. And then it was two for �4. Along with an increase

in inflation, we learnt that unemployment has hit another high,

something that was a topic of conversation. More support is

needed but there are not the jobs out there. It is more difficult now

than years ago. Years ago you would leave a job in the morning and get

another in the afternoon. Passengers are hoping the rising

housing and food costs will come to a stop, just like the bus.

A new TV show will explore the lives of doctors and nurses that

work at Guernsey's hospital. Filming for the series will start

at a Princess Elizabeth Hospital next month. The programme is due to

be on TV in the autumn and will follow medical staff outside of

work. We might find we can attract staff. People might see Guernsey on

the television and think they would like to work there. It could be

good for tourism. We have worked closely with the Department to make

sure we maximise benefits. We are continuing our lookout Jersey's

education system. 43% of secondary students on the island attend fee-

paying schools, compared to 7% in the UK. That is because the States

and subsidise his tuition fees, making it more affordable. But with

more investment needed in the non- fee-paying sector, is it a model

that can continue. We went to Victoria College.

Victoria College, a beacon of educational excellence since 1852.

Physically towering over St Helier and academically tarrying over most

other Jersey schools. -- towering. Tradition is important, but it is

not everything. Jeff Buckley in a music lesson, for instance. And

opening up the image of the school is something the headmaster is

passionate about. We are not stuffy and we are not elitist. Parents

send children to us because of Our high academic standards. There is

no doubt qualifications are important, but we offer

opportunities in Sport and performing arts, in music. Maybe it

is all science and genetics. Do you know the answer? Performing arts

are big here, as well as sport, and even chess. It is a mix that keeps

the boys interested. There is a variety of sport. It makes them

proud to be part of a winning island next -- institution. You can

see it for miles away. You can see us everywhere. I think we make a

big impression on Jersey. We have the association and you find a lot

of former pupils in businesses when you were looking for a job. The old

Victorian association helps former students get on. Those contacts and

the loyalty is something the school is keen to capitalise on. I have

forged strong relationships with the association and we have set up

professional dinners and we had our first one focusing on medicine in

November. We have just had one on Finance and Accountancy. Over 14

boys were attracted to those dinners. -- 40. Those things are

invaluable on an island like Jersey. We will look to do those dinners

once every town. Great contacts and better drub prospects as well as

excellent grades -- better job prospects. That is if you can get

in and afford it. It costs over �4,300 PA to send your child here.

The state's more-or-less matches that, as they do for every fee-

paying school. That means that many taxpayers are subsidising a public

service they cannot use. Potentially they are subsidising

the lifestyle choices of very wealthy islanders. There are

wealthier parents at fee-paying schools, but in my view they are in

the minority. The majority are fairly middle income Jersey people,

who are under pressure in other ways. Under pressure, and therefore

willing to exert political pressure. When the previous Education

Minister trying to reduce the contribution to fees, meaning

parents would pay more, hundred campaigned against it. The idea was

dropped. The current minister says he has considered means testing

parents, so that those who can pay more, do. He is not convinced by

that either. The problem with that is if you do that you talk about

taxation. Education is a human right and we all pay our taxes. Our

taxation system is designed around the ability to pay, and if you

start putting ability to pay into the education system, you will get

into trouble. But education as a human right is interpreted

differently by the head teacher at Beaulieu Convent School. For him,

fees and religion do not mix. is wrong. There is a moral question.

If a society is able to consider this aspect of education as

important, it should be available for everyone. If there were an

opportunity for just a -- Jersey to provide free religious education,

we would willingly look to investigate and support that option

for young people. A religious free school might be a maverick idea for

an island so wedded to fee-paying, but for the girls at Beaulieu

Convent School and the boys at Victoria College, the issue of how

their education is paid for will continue to burn. Especially as the

gap in achievement beef Tween their schools and 11-16 year olds grows -

- achievement between. Tomorrow evening on BBC Radio

Jersey Clare's hosting a live radio debate about the education issues

we've raised this week. The panel includes the education minister and

a journalist from the Guardian newspaper. Tickets are available

newspaper. Tickets are available from secondary schools. Now the

weather. There is no stopping this unsettled

weather. Things are turning more Fourie after the heavy rain last

night. This area of low pressure is still with us tonight. There are

more showers to come, and they could produce heavier downpours.

Low pressure tomorrow and strong winds to come. By Friday, the

centre of the low pressure moves north. On Friday, the chance of

some dry and bright weather but more wet weather over the weekend.

Tonight, some showers around throughout the night. Dry and clear

spells, also. Strong winds coming up from the south-west. First thing

tomorrow morning, you will find there is some dry weather around,

but also some showers. And strong winds with the showers. The winds

coming up from the south-west. And also the scattered showers. The

It will probably be choppy for the surfers. For the rest of the week,

on Friday, although there is the risk of a shower, it should be

drier and brighter with sunshine. Temperatures responding to that. On

Saturday, low-pressure developing over the Continent will bring more

wet and windy weather Bopper, wet and windy weather Bopper,

wet and windy weather Bopper, Finally. Jersey badminton player

Elizabeth Cann is out of the India Open Super Series. Her hopes of